Cengiz cruises into Ankara Open final
Berfu Cengiz reached the Turk Telekom Ankara Open final by beating wildcard Deniz Dilek 6-1, 6-1. Cengiz, ranked No 305, will next face fifth-seeded Serb Teodora Kostovic. Her earlier wins came against Han Shi, Aysegul Mert and Martyna Kubka.
Berfu Cengiz secured her place in the Turk Telekom Ankara Open title match with a straight-set semi-final win over wildcard Deniz Dilek. The scoreline was 6-1, 6-1, played Saturday afternoon on the tournament's blue-and-green hard court.
Cengiz, ranked No 305, will meet fifth-seeded Serbian player Teodora Kostovic in the final. Her run to this stage also included victories over China's Han Shi, wildcard Aysegul Mert and fourth-seeded Pole Martyna Kubka.
Cengiz's run could raise interest in Turkish tennis, especially among young players and local fans who may see a home player competing for a title. A deep run by a lower-ranked athlete may also encourage aspiring professionals to persist through smaller tournaments. For Ankara, hosting a finalist could boost attendance, media attention and community engagement, though any broader social or economic effects would likely depend on sustained success and coverage.